CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS OF
The Crossroads Tabernacle Corporation
(A New York State Not-for-Profit Corporation)
Preamble
The Crossroads Tabernacle Corp. is a gathering of committed men and women whose vision is to be a unified and caring community of believers, living in authentic relationships, impacting the Bronx and beyond through Christ likeness. We experience this through ardent worship and God’s transforming Word. Just as God reconciled the world to himself through the Son, we as the body of Christ now live between the Cross and the return of Christ, existing as the continuing presence of Jesus ministering healing, recovery, and forgiveness to the abused and oppressed.
Article 1. Name and Address
The name of this corporation shall be The Crossroads Tabernacle Corp. and the principal office of the corporation shall be 1320 Castle Hill Avenue, Bronx, New York 10462.
Article 2. Tenets of Faith
This Assembly holds these tenets to be a sacred trust held by all members of the Board of Trustees, the Advisory Board, the Elders, the Deacons, the Pastoral staff, and the communicant members of Crossroads Tabernacle:
2.01 The Scriptures Inspired - The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct (2 Timothy. 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21)
2.02 The One True God - The One True God has revealed Himself as the eternally, self-existent “I AM,” the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10, 11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22).
2.03 The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ - The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The scriptures declare; (a) The virgin birth (Matthew. 1:23; Luke 1:31, 35); (b) His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; I Peter 2:22); (c) His miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38; (d) His substitutionary work on the cross (I Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21); (e) His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:4 (f) His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts: 1:9, 11; 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11 Hebrews 1-3.
2.04 The Fall of Man - Man was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness.” However man, by voluntary transgression, fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God (Genesis 1:26,27; 2:17; 3:6; Romans 5:12:19).
2.05 The Salvation of Man – Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; (a) Conditions to Salvation: Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, being justified by grace through faith man becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; 3:5-7); (b) The Evidences of Salvation: The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12).
2.06 The Ordinances of the Church - (a) Baptism in Water: The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47,48; Romans 6:4); (b) Holy Communion: The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements bread and the fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26); and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26); and is enjoined on all believers “till He comes!”
2.07 The Baptism in the Holy Ghost - All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4, 8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-3 1). This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 8:12-17; 10:44- 46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9). With the baptism in the Holy Ghost, come such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39, Acts 4:8), a deepened reverence for God (Acts 4:3; Heb.12: 28,) an intensified consecration to God and dedication to the His work (Acts 2:42), and a more active love for Christ, for His Word and for the lost (Mark 16:20).
2.08 The Evidences of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost - The baptism of believers in the Holy Ghost is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4) The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same essence as the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:4-10, 28), but different in purpose and use.
2.09 Sanctification - Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God (Romans 12: 1,2: 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 13:12) The Scriptures teach a life of “holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) By the power of the Holy Ghost we are able to obey the command: "Be ye holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15, 16). Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:1-11, 13; 8:1, 2, 13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12, 13; 1 Peter 1:5)
2.10 The Church - The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the General Assembly and Church of the First-born, which are written in heaven (Ephesians 1:22, 23; 2:22; Hebrews 12:33).
2.11 The Ministry - A divinely called and scriptural ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a two-fold purpose: 1) The evangelization of the world and, 2) The edifying of the Body of Christ (Mark 16:15:20; Ephesians 4:11-13).
2.12 Divine Healing - Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is a privilege of all believers (Isaiah 53:4, 5; Matthew 8:16,17; James 5:14-16).
2.13 The Bless Hope - The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, is the imminent and blessed hope of the Church (1 Thessalonians .4:16, 17; Romans.8: 23; Titus 2:13;I Corinthians 15:51, 52).
2.14 The Millennial Reign of Christ - The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on the earth for one thousand years (Zechariah 14:15; Matthew 24:27, 30; Revelations 1:7; 19:11-14; 20:1-6). This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel (Ezekiel 37:2 1, 22; Zephaniah.3: 19-20; Romans 11:26, 27) and the establishment of universal peace (Isaiah 11:6-9; Psalm 72:3-8; Micah 4:3,4).
2.15 The Final Judgment - There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20; 20:11-15; 21:8).
2.16 The New Heavens and the New Earth - “We, according to His promise, look for New Heavens and a New Earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:22).
Article 3. Purpose and Powers
3.01 The purpose of this assembly is to be a dynamic spiritual organism empowered by the Holy Spirit to share Christ with as many people as possible in our community, and throughout the world; and,
3.02 To be a worshiping fellowship, experiencing an awareness of God, recognizing His person, and responding in obedience to His leadership; and to experience an increasingly meaningful fellowship with God and fellow believers; and to help people experience a growing knowledge of God and mankind; and,
3.03 To be a church which ministers unselfishly to persons in the community and the world in Jesus’ name; and,
3.04 To be a church whose purpose is to be Christ-like in our daily living by emphasizing total commitment of life, personality, and possessions to the Lordship of Christ.
Article 4. Polity, Policies and Relationships
4.01 Crossroads Tabernacle shall voluntarily enter into a cooperative fellowship with the Assemblies of God (the New York District Council and the General Council of the Assemblies of God of Springfield, Missouri), while retaining its inherent rights to sovereignty in the conduct of its own affairs and subject to the control of no external ecclesiastical body. Believing in the independence of the local church with full freedom of deliberation, decision, and deportment under God without restriction, supervision or domination from any outside individual, organization, or institution, this church is to be completely autonomous and self-governing and will not affiliate with any organization which seeks to exercise control over the local church.
4.02 This corporation, including all of its educational programs and church sponsored activities admits students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin, to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students or other participants in any of its educational or church sponsored programs. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships and loan programs, athletic and other educational or church sponsored programs.
4.03 Crossroads Tabernacle shall engage in activities which are necessary, suitable or convenient for the accomplishment of these purposes, or which are incidental thereto or connected therewith which are consistent with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The purposes for which this corporation is organized are exclusively religious and charitable within the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future U.S. Internal Revenue code.
4.04 The Executive Officer may convene a Corporate Board, nominated by the Executive Officer and approved by the Board of Trustees, composed of respected leaders from the Body of Christ outside of The Crossroads Tabernacle Corp. to provide counsel to the Board of Trustees. The Corporate Board shall meet once a year.
ARTICLE V: MEMBERS
The corporation shall not have any voting members. Any action, which would otherwise require approval by a majority of all members or approval by the members, shall require only approval of the Board of Trustees. All rights, which would otherwise vest under the Nonprofit Religious Law, the members shall vest in the Trustees.
ARTICLE VI: BOARD OF TRUSTEES
6.01 The Board of Trustees shall consist of no less than (3-7) and no more than (7-9) Trustees. Each Trustee shall serve a term of three (3) years. The expiration of the terms of the Trustees shall alternate so that no more than one third of the Trustee’s terms expire in any single year. A Trustee may succeed him or herself. The Executive Officer of the corporation shall appoint Trustees and the Board of Trustees shall ratify the appointment by a two/thirds (2/3rds) majority vote.
6.02 General Corporate Powers of Trustees-- The Board of Trustees shall have the management of the business of the corporation, and subject to the restrictions imposed by law, by the Articles of Incorporation or by this Constitution and By-Laws, may exercise all of the powers of the corporation.
6.03 Specific Powers of Trustees-- Without prejudice to such general powers, it is hereby expressly declared that the Trustees shall have the following powers, to-wit:
-To adopt and alter a common seal of the corporation.
-To adopt an annual business plan and budget for the corporation.
-To make and change regulations not inconsistent with these By-Laws,
for the management of the corporation's business and affairs.
-To appoint, remove, or suspend, all officers, agents and employees of
the corporation, except the President and Executive Officer, prescribe
their duties; fix their compensation, if they so deem necessary, and in
their discretion, from time to time, to assign the powers and duties of
any officer upon any other person.
-To pay for any property purchased/leased/rented by the corporation,
either wholly or partly in money, bonds, debentures or other securities
of the corporation.
6.04 Board of Trustees Officers: Its officers shall consist of a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such additional officers who shall be designated by the Board of Trustees. The same person may hold any number of offices, except that the same person may not hold the offices of president and secretary.
6.05 Election of Officers: The Board Officers of the corporation shall be nominated by the Executive Officer and shall be elected by the Board of Trustees by a 2/3rds vote.
6.06 Removal of Officers: Any Board Officer may be removed, with or without cause, by the Executive Officer, at any regular or special meeting of the board.
6.07 Resignation of Officers: Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice; and unless otherwise specified in that notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.
6.08 Vacancies in Offices: A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or other cause shall be filled only in the manner prescribed in these By-Laws of regular appointments to that office.
6.09 Responsibilities of Officers
6.09:1 Executive Officer: The Executive Officer is the Senior Pastor of Crossroads Tabernacle, President of the Corporation, and Chair of the Board of Trustees.
The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and shall, accountable to the Board of Trustees, supervise and control the affairs of the corporation and the activities of the officers. He shall perform all duties incident to his office and such other duties as may be required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation or by these By-Laws, or which may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Trustees. He shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Trustees. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, by the Articles of Incorporation or by these By-Laws, he shall in the name of the corporation, execute such deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, checks, or other instruments, which may from time to time be authorized by the Board of Trustees. He shall also have such other powers and perform such other duties as necessary.
6.09:2 The Secretary, nominated by the Executive Officer, and elected by simple majority by the Board of Trustees, shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Board of Trustees and actions of trustees and committees of trustees. He/She shall serve all notices required by law or the By-Laws of the corporation and in case of his/her absence, refusal or inability to act, his/her duties may be performed by any person whom the Board of Trustees may direct.
6.09:3 The Treasurer, nominated by the Executive Officer, and elected by simple majority by the Board of Trustees, shall oversee all aspects of the financial management of the corporation including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, retained earnings, and other matters customarily included in financial statements. His/Her duties shall be such as are implied by the name and prescribed by the Board of Trustees. The books of account shall be open to inspection by any trustee at all reasonable times.
6.10 The Board of Trustees shall specify the pastor’s initial compensation and subsequent annual compensation reviews. The church shall provide, as possible, adequate salary, housing allowance, health insurance, expense allowance, conference funds, vacation time, continued education, pension and other special funds as needed for his ministry. The church shall also defray the costs of sending the pastor to out-of-town conferences or conventions attended for the church, as approved by the Board of Trustees.
6.1The Board of Trustees only under the following conditions, may terminate the senior pastor:
He is declared of unsound mind by final order of a court.
He is convicted of a felony.
He is living an immoral lifestyle and is unwilling to repent.
If any of the above three conditions are present, and after all avenues of counsel, discipline and restoration have been exhausted, and if one of the three conditions remain present; then at a special combined meeting of the Corporate Board and the Board of Trustees, convened for this stated purpose, the Board of Trustees may terminate the Senior Pastor if: a recommendation to terminate the Senior Pastor is approved by a two-third majority vote of the Corporate Board; and the Board of Trustees votes by two-third majority to terminate the Senior Pastor.
6.12 Corporate Authority in the event there is a vacancy in the Executive Office: The Corporate Authority will be vested in a Pastoral Transition Task Force Committee, headed by the Chair of the Corporate Board. The Corporate Board Chair from members of the Board Of Trustees, the Corporate Board and the Board of Elders will appoint the Pastoral Transition Task Force. The Pastoral Transition Task Force shall have authority to restructure the Corporation as necessary, supercede the Board of Trustees until an Executive Officer is selected, and have authority to select and install the Executive Officer.
6.13 Compensation of Trustees: Trustees shall serve without compensation except that they shall be allowed reasonable compensation for only the expenses incurred in attending Trustee meetings. In addition, they shall be allowed reasonable advancement or reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of their regular duties.
6.14 Place of Meeting: Meetings by telephone, regular or special meetings of the Board of Trustees may be held at any place within or outside the State of New York that has been designated from time to time by resolution of the Board. In the absence of such designation, regular or special meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation. Any meeting, regular or special may be held by conference telephone or similar communication equipment, so long as all directors in the meeting can hear one another, and all such directors shall be deemed to be present at such meeting. Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees shall be held without call at such time as shall from time to time be fixed by the Board of Trustees. Such regular meetings may be held without notice. The Board is required to have a minimum of six (6) meetings per year. The chairman of the board or the president may call special meetings of the Board of Trustees for any purpose at any time. Notice of the time and place of the special meetings shall be given to each director at least two (2) days in advance of the time and date of the special meeting.
6.15 Quorum: A majority of the authorized number Trustees shall constitute a quorum. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the Trustees present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE VII: MISCELLANEOUS
7.01 Donations: This corporation may accept gifts, legacies, donations and/or contributions and in any amount and any form, from time to time, upon such terms and conditions as may be decided from time to time by the Board of Trustees.
7.02 Corporate Seal: The corporate seal of the corporation shall be in such form as the Board of Trustees shall determine and shall contain the name of the corporation, the date and state of its creation and such other matters as the Board of Trustees, in their discretion may determine. Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed, reproduced or otherwise.
7.03 Principal Office: The principal office shall be established and maintained in the County of The Bronx, City of New York, and State of New York, and at 1320 Castle Hill Avenue, Bronx, NY.
7.04 Other Offices: Other offices of the corporation may be established at such places as the Board of Trustees may, from time to time, designate or the business of the corporation may require.
7.05 Fiscal Year: The fiscal year of this corporation shall be the calendar year.
7.06 Amendments of By-Laws: The Board of Trustees, with the recommendation of the Executive Officer and the affirmative vote of a two/thirds (2/3rds) majority of the Trustees, may at any regular or special meeting, provided the substance of the proposed amendment has been stated in the notice of the meeting, amend or alter any of these By-Laws. All amendments of By-Laws shall be subject to appropriate laws governing religious non-profit organizations.
7.07 Dissolution In the event that this corporation is dissolved, after all bonafide debts are satisfied, the assets shall be transferred to the Foreign Missions Department of the Assemblies of God.
We the undersigned, are all the persons named as Trustees of Crossroads Tabernacle Inc., a New York non-profit corporation, and, pursuant to the authority granted to the Trustees by these bylaws to take action by unanimous written consent with a meeting; consent to, and hereby do, adopt the foregoing bylaws, consisting of six pages, as the Bylaws of this corporation.
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the Bylaws of the corporation named in the title thereto, and that such Bylaws were duly adopted by the Board of Trustees of said corporation on the date set forth above.
Rev. 5/5/04